Comparison of GPO Pay and Classification System to Other Federal and Private Sector Systems

GAO discussed its report which compared the Government Printing Office's (GPO) pay and classification system to those of other Federal and private sector systems. GAO found that GPO employees who collectively bargain receive higher wages than printing and lithographic employees at other Federal agencies or in the private sector in the Washington, D.C., area. GPO employees averaged 42 percent more than other Federal employees for similar occupations for calendar year 1982. From 1972 through 1982, cumulative percentage pay increases for GPO collective bargaining employees have outpaced those of their Federal counterparts because their pay-setting system is not subject to the pay principles that apply to Government pay-setting systems. Several different types of workers with different skill levels make the same wage at GPO, and maintenance craft groups at GPO have wage rates which are linked to the wage rates paid to compositors. In addition, GPO pays higher differential pay than that paid to other Federal and private sector employees. Other fringe benefits paid to GPO employees are the same as those granted most other Federal employees. GPO unions feel that GPO work is not comparable to that performed in other Federal and private sector establishments; however, GPO management disagrees. GAO has suggested that a joint labor/management task force should be established to identify features of Federal and private sector pay-setting practices that could be applicable to GPO.